Bernie Ecclestone previously controlled the management rights to the Istanbul Park circuit © Getty Images
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Bernie Ecclestone would be happy for Formula One to return to Turkey if the race organisers agree to pay the requested race-hosting fee.

The Turkish Grand Prix was dropped for this year - despite being listed on the provisional calendar - after failing to agree a new deal to host the race, with Ecclestone saying the circuit was unwilling to pay a fee in line with the European races. Despite two races in America and one in Russia planned to come on to the calendar over the next two years, Ecclestone said the door wasn't closed on Turkey hosting a race again in the near future.

"I was sorry when the contract ended, but it's always possible to go back to Turkey," Ecclestone is quoted by Haberturk. "I was sorry because it's a great track and Istanbul is a great city.

"Both the teams and the FIA were very happy to be in Istanbul ... If the problem with the government (over the race-hosting fee) can be resolved, then Turkey could return to the calendar."

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